Author: space4knews

March 12, Kathmandu. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, coordinator of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), has issued a stern warning that any attempts to tamper with the constitution and curtail citizens’ rights will be met with strong resistance both on the streets and within parliament. Prachanda made this statement on Saturday during a program organized by the All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) Coordination and Liaison Provincial Committee at the party office in Parisdanda.

“We have clearly stated that the government, currently led by the National Independent Party, is functioning within the framework of the constitution. If the government carries out constructive and positive work, we will view it favorably,” Prachanda said. “However, if there is any attempt to alter the constitution, if the national interest of Nepal is compromised in any way, or if there are efforts to deprive people of their rights and freedoms, we will strongly oppose such actions both within the parliament and on the streets.”

Prachanda urged vigilance regarding the government’s recent moves to question the rights of students and employee trade unions. He emphasized, “The rights and privileges that the people have achieved through prolonged struggle, great sacrifice, and dedication must not be tampered with in any form.”

While affirming his support for constitutional amendments, Prachanda clarified that any such changes must aim to enhance citizens’ rights rather than diminish them. He stated, “We are not against amending the constitution, but the objective must be to increase women’s rights and expand the rights of the people, not to take any away.” He further added that amendments should be made solely to strengthen federalism.

The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has concluded that student organizations should not be banned within schools or colleges. Party leader Jagannath Khatriwada informed that the party’s Central Coordination Committee reached this decision during a meeting held at the central office in Parisdanda on Saturday. This stance comes in response to the government’s proposal, included in its 100-point agenda, to dissolve student organizations. Political party organizations have expressed opposition to this move.

On Chaitra 28 in Kathmandu, the NCP firmly stated that banning student organizations in academic institutions is inappropriate and would suppress the rights of the public and trade unions. “It is wrong to prohibit public organizations, especially youth and student groups, in colleges, as well as trade unions,” Khatriwada explained while sharing the meeting’s conclusions. “Such actions undermine the rights of the people and trade unions. This must not be allowed, and the party stands firmly against it,” he emphasized.

Further, the Central Coordination Committee is scheduled to meet again on Baishakh 3, where remaining conclusions and decisions will be announced.

Apple is preparing to release the final major update to its operating system iOS 26, titled ‘iOS 26.5’. This update will primarily focus on enhancing iPhone performance, improving system stability, and fine-tuning minor features. Following the release of iOS 26.5, Apple will direct its attention towards the upcoming new version, iOS 27.

When will the new update be released? Based on Apple’s regular schedule and current beta testing, the public rollout of iOS 26.5 is expected around May 11 or 12. Apple’s timeline is as follows: the second beta version will be released on April 13; the release candidate, which is the final testing version, will become available on May 4; and the public update will be broadly available to all eligible iPhone users worldwide on May 11 or 12.

What changes will iOS 26.5 bring? While the update does not introduce any major revolutionary features, it will make the everyday user experience smoother in three key areas: 1. Performance improvements: applications will launch faster and multitasking will become more seamless. 2. System stability: various bugs that previously caused phone hangs or crashes have been addressed. 3. Battery capacity: power management enhancements will help extend battery life.

Preparations for iOS 27 will follow roughly one month after the release of this update during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8. At this event, iOS 27 will be officially announced, with significant changes expected especially in the fields of artificial intelligence and Siri. Since iPhones currently running iOS 26 can easily receive the 26.5 update, technical experts recommend backing up data before updating to safeguard personal information.

Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary of the Nepal Communist Party (UML), has stated that the facade of ‘good governance’ promoted by the current government and the so-called new powers has been exposed. Pokharel emphasized that Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal must explain the source of his alleged overseas earnings and whether the necessary taxes have been paid. He also warned of a strong rebuttal, calling the actions harmful to party chairman KP Sharma Oli. Date: 28 Chaitra, Kathmandu.

Pokharel accused ministers and the Speaker of disrespecting transparency under the guise of good governance. Raising questions about Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal’s asset declaration, he said, “Becoming an owner from a worker is not a crime, but what channel did that overseas income come through? Has the state received the appropriate tax payments? The Speaker has the responsibility to answer these questions.”

Responding to delays by ministers in submitting their asset declarations, Pokharel declared that his party’s leadership is prepared to face any trial. He added, “Good governance should not be used to intimidate others; those who promote it must adhere to it themselves. UML leaders are ready to endure any trial—are those who claim to be ‘new’ prepared?”

Regarding the commission formed to investigate the Jenajee movement, Pokharel criticized its use as a ‘weapon of retribution.’ He stated that such actions have caused distress to party chairman KP Sharma Oli and warned that the party will strongly oppose these moves.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Sushant Vaidik has highlighted that entrepreneurship is a key focus in the new government’s 100-day action plan. He expressed confidence that small and micro enterprises as well as startups in villages will significantly contribute to the country’s economic transformation and social justice. Vaidik noted that the government is working to streamline paperwork for business registration and renewal processes, with results expected as early as next week. Kathmandu, 28 Chaitra.

Speaking at the 3rd National Convention of the National Enterprise Development Facilitators Federation Nepal in the capital on Saturday, RSP MP Sushant Vaidik emphasized that the new government’s 100-day agenda fully incorporates entrepreneurship. According to him, the RSP-led administration’s plan leaves no aspect of entrepreneurship unaddressed. He stressed that enterprises ranging from small and micro businesses to startups across villages are poised to play a vital role in achieving economic progress intertwined with economic transformation and social justice.

“The new government’s 100 priorities completely include issues related to entrepreneurship, which is recognized with due importance. We are clear that the economic transformation and social justice agenda will be driven largely by enterprises from small and micro-businesses to startups in every village. In this plan, the RSP has committed to facilitating business registration and renewal processes,” MP Vaidik stated.

He further stated that the impact of ongoing government efforts to simplify these procedures will be visible from the coming week. “We are working to simplify paperwork so that no obstacles arise in business registration, whether at local governments, provincial offices, or the company registrar’s office. The paperwork will no longer hinder aspiring entrepreneurs,” he said. Event participants also emphasized the need to position the private sector and entrepreneurship as the main drivers of the national economy.

March 12, Nuwakot – A tragic accident occurred in Belkotgadhi, Nuwakot, where one man died and two others were seriously injured after being struck by a falling branch while cutting a tree. The incident took place on Saturday morning in Alldanda, located in Belkotgadhi Municipality-9, Nalgau.

The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Prem Bahadur Tamang, a local resident. Police Inspector Rupak Thapa, Chief of the Baghkhor Police Office, reported that Tamang was cutting a cumin tree on his own farmland when the accident happened.

Two others who were assisting in the tree-cutting also sustained injuries. They have been identified as Madhav Bhujel from Belkotgadhi Municipality-10 and Arun Tamang. Both are in serious condition and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

March 12, Tanahun – The process to establish a ‘Homestay Circuit’ has been initiated, connecting the historic and culturally rich town of Bandipur with the religiously significant Bhyas Municipality. The ‘Bandipur–Keshavtar Homestay Circuit’, a collaborative effort between Bhyas Municipality and Bandipur Rural Municipality, is being introduced as a new model for rural tourism development. Surendra Thapa, Chairperson of the Rural Municipality, stated that the initiative aims to promote tourism based on local production, traditions, and the environment, with cultural heritage as the foundation.

Once a prominent commercial center, Bandipur had fallen into obscurity after the district headquarters shifted to Damauli. However, the town is now re-emerging as an open and vibrant cultural museum. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Hills,” Bandipur has established a unique identity. Chairperson Thapa emphasized plans to further boost tourism here through the homestay program. “After the success of Bandipur Tourism Year 2025, the Rural Municipality has declared 2026 as the Year of Rural Tourism. Accordingly, important projects, including this circuit, have been initiated to develop new destinations utilizing diverse natural, social, and cultural assets,” he explained.

The 75-kilometer circuit will cover 14 homestays and more than 20 villages. Homestays run by Gurung, Magar, Newar, as well as Chhetri, Brahmin, and Dalit communities, will offer varied cultural experiences. Most wards of the Rural Municipality along with ward no. 14 of Bhyas Municipality are included. According to Chairperson Thapa, the circuit is expected to empower homestays and enhance rural community incomes through tourism. The development plan is being implemented in three phases.

In the first phase, on March 28 and 29, a joint team of tourism and cultural experts, business operators, and technical staff conducted field studies, observations, and awareness programs in each homestay village. In collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board Pokhara, the circuit will be promoted nationally and internationally during the Gandaki Provincial-level ‘Rural Tourism Mart 2083’, scheduled for April 30 and May 1. To facilitate rural tourism, the Municipality has also introduced safari jeep services, which are expected to improve tourist access to remote villages, said Suraj Bhattarai, Head of the Rural Municipality’s Tourism Department. Tourism expert Harisingh Gurung stated that this circuit is being developed as Nepal’s first pilot project of its kind, aiming to establish a new global identity for Nepali rural tourism. He expressed confidence that preserving local culture, traditions, and lifestyles while developing tourism is essential today, and this initiative will significantly contribute to sustainable tourism promotion.

Kathmandu, 28 Chaitra – The Immigration Department has informed that Nepali workers traveling abroad for employment are not required to show the airline ticket bill or payment receipt at the airport. This clarification was issued to resolve confusion following the Foreign Employment Department’s directive that made it mandatory to show the ticket bill and receipt of service fees paid to the manpower company.

The department’s notice states that workers need only present the minimum essential documents such as labor approval and passport; no other bills or receipts need to be shown. The Immigration Department emphasized the notice issued by the Foreign Employment Department on 23 Chaitra and reaffirmed the procedure as per the prevailing Immigration Act.

According to the department, based on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ ministerial decision dated 13 Kartik 2082 and current legal provisions, Nepalis traveling on a visitor visa abroad must have a valid passport for at least six months, an airline ticket to the destination country, and the respective country’s visa. However, for workers going abroad for foreign employment, only basic documents such as labor approval and passport are mandatory. The department has urged citizens traveling abroad to avoid confusion and to travel confidently after obtaining the necessary information.

By conserving Ganegurjo, a type of Gotiya medicinal herb, and cultivating it domestically, as well as developing processing technologies and enabling efficient market management and export, Nepal can gain significant benefits both economically and in terms of health.

March 12, Saptari – The special municipal assembly of Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality in Saptari concluded on Friday with a significant decision to temporarily relocate the office of the municipal executive.

During discussions on the proposal, it was determined that the office, currently operating within a building owned by the Government of India under the Koshi embankment area, has been adversely affected by the monsoon rains.

Water infiltration into the building has increased the risk of damage to important documents and public property and has also disrupted daily service delivery. Chief Administrative Officer Ramesh Kumar Yadav reported that employees have been facing difficulties in maintaining regular office operations due to these conditions. In light of these challenges, the municipal assembly decided to temporarily transfer the municipal executive office to the newly completed veterinary hospital building located on the boundary between wards 5 and 7.

This building has been constructed on land owned by the Government of Nepal, and it is anticipated that once the necessary rooms and infrastructure are properly organized, continuous service delivery will be guaranteed. The assembly approved that all municipal work will be conducted from this building until the municipality establishes and manages its own permanent administrative office. The municipality expects that this move will enhance service efficiency and provide easier access to services for citizens.

28 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has expressed a lack of trust in the United States. Prior to high-level talks in Pakistan, Ghalibaf conveyed this sentiment from Islamabad. According to reports, after arriving in Islamabad and speaking with accompanying Iranian journalists, Ghalibaf stated that despite two sincere rounds of talks within less than a year, attacks against Iran have continued, including numerous war crimes.

“Our intentions are correct, but we do not trust America,” he said. Citing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated official news agency Tasnim, Ghalibaf noted that if the United States is genuinely ready for a true agreement and recognizes the legitimate rights of Iranian citizens, Iran will demonstrate full readiness to reach a deal.

“However, if the United States seeks to use the talks as a show of power or a strategy to deceive, Iran will rely on its own capabilities to protect the rights of its citizens,” he added. High-level delegations from both the United States and Iran have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for the talks scheduled today. Security measures in the city have been intensified in preparation.